Food Service Worker

Veterans Health Administration; Fort Meade (SD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fort Meade, SD, is seeking a full-time Food Service Worker (Wage Grade 3) to perform routine food service tasks in the Nutrition and Food Service area of the VA Medical Center.

The position involves setting up service stations, portioning meals, delivering trays to patient rooms, assisting cooks, and maintaining cleanliness. Work hours include early shifts, with weekends/holidays rotation, under PD99920S guidance.

Responsibilities

• Sets up and breaks down assigned station with the correct supplies and food items.
• Portions food items into standard serving sizes using proper utensils and dishware.
• Delivers meal trays to patients' bedsides and reports feedback to supervisors or dietitians.
• Assists cooks with food preparation, weighs/measures ingredients, and assembles recipes.
• Reads menus and diet cards to ensure compatibility with patient needs.
• Cleans work areas and related spaces; performs other duties as assigned.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service, Fort Meade, S.D. VA Medical Center. Wage Grade 3 Food Service Workers perform tasks with several steps or a sequence of tasks that requires attention to work operations. They follow set procedures in accomplishing repetitive assignments and follow an established sequence of work.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include: Sets up and breaks down assigned station with the correct supplies and food items; Portions food items into standard serving sizes using the proper utensils and specified dishware Selects and places correct items on patient trays Decides what food items to serve for the most common diets Identifies obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu Sets up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary; Delivers meal trays to the patients' bedsides; reporting the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian; Provides assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes; Prepares fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts; Reads and interprets regular or modified menus, individual diet cards, tray tickets or patient selections Performs heavy-duty cleaning tasks throughout the food service and related areas; Performing other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 6:00am-2:30pm and 10:30am-7:00pm, rotating days off, includes weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99920S The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $20.46 – $23.87/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-12-01.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.